Excessive Gambling Research Articles

The total consumption model applied to gambling: Empirical validity and implications for gambling policy.

Aim:The total consumption model (TCM) originates from studies of the distribution of alcohol consumption and posits that there is a strong association between the total consumption and the prevalence of excessive/harmful consumption in a population. The policy implication of the TCM is that policy measures which effectively lead to a reduction of the total consumption, will most likely also reduce the extent of harmful consumption and related harms. Problem gambling constitutes a public health issue and more insight into problem gambling at the societal level and a better understanding of how public policies may impact on the harm level, are strongly needed. The aim of this study was to review the literature pertaining to empirical validity of the TCM with regard to gambling behaviour and problem gambling and, on the basis of the literature review, to discuss the policy implications of the TCM.Methods:The study is based on a literature mapping through systematic searches in literature databases, and forward and backward reference searches.Results:The literature searches identified a total of 12 empirical studies that examined the total consumption model or provided relevant data. All but one of these studies found empirical support for the TCM; that is, a positive association between population gambling mean and prevalence of excessive or problem gambling. Such associations were found both with cross-sectional data and with longitudinal data.Conclusion:There is a small but fairly consistent literature lending empirical support to the total consumption model. An important policy implication is that interventions which are successful in reducing overall gambling are likely also to reduce problem gambling incidence.

Self-Reported Negative Influence of Gambling Advertising in a Swedish Population-Based Sample

This study investigated the negative influence of gambling advertising, that is, gambling more often or for more money than intended. We analyzed data from wave four of the Swedish Longitudinal Gambling Study (Swelogs), in which the self-perceived negative influence of gambling advertising was measured by responses to three survey questions. Few gamblers reported having been negatively influenced by gambling advertising. Among those who reported such influence, problem gamblers were overrepresented. Those who had set limits for their gambling reported a negative influence from advertising more often than others, which likely was caused by a perception that advertising is detrimental to efforts to cut down on excessive gambling. A multivariate regression analysis showed that negative influence from gambling advertising was positively associated with problem gambling, gambling at least monthly, participation in online gambling, and being in the age group 30–49 years. We conclude that although few gamblers are negatively influenced by gambling advertising, the adverse effects on those that are should not be neglected. For a considerable number of people, gambling advertising substantially contributes to problem gambling.

Excessive Gambling and Online Gambling Communities.

The Internet provides an accessible context for online gambling and gambling-related online communities, such as discussion forums for gamblers. These communities may be particularly attractive to young gamblers who are active Internet users. The aim of this study was to examine the use of gambling-related online communities and their relevance to excessive gambling among 15-25-year-old Finnish Internet users (N = 1200). Excessive gambling was assessed by using the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Respondents were asked in a survey about their use of various kinds of gambling-related online communities, and sociodemographic and behavioral factors were adjusted. The results of the study revealed that over half (54.33%) of respondents who had visited gambling-related online communities were either at-risk gamblers or probable pathological gamblers. Discussion in these communities was mainly based on sharing gambling tips and experiences, and very few respondents said that they related to gambling problems and recovery. In three different regression models, visiting gambling-related online communities was a significant predictor for excessive gambling (with 95% confidence level) even after adjusting confounding factors. The association of visiting such sites was even stronger among probable pathological gamblers than among at-risk gamblers. Health professionals working with young people should be aware of the role of online communities in terms of development and persistence of excessive gambling. Monitoring the use of online gambling communities as well as utilizing recovery-oriented support both offline and online would be important in preventing further problems. Gambling platforms should also include warnings about excessive gambling and provide links to helpful sources.

Addictive behaviors and psychological distress among adolescents and emerging adults: A mediating role of peer group identification

ObjectiveResearch suggests the sense of belonging to primary groups functions as an important social resource for youth well-being, but it can be compromised among those dealing with addiction. The current study examined how adolescents' and emerging adults' identification with a primary peer group consisting of friends, mediates the relationship between addictive behaviors and psychological distress. MethodThe study utilized demographically balanced survey data on 1200 Finnish participants aged 15 to 25 (mean age 21.29, 50% female). Measures were included for psychological distress, excessive drinking, excessive drug use, excessive gambling, excessive Internet use, and peer group identification. ResultsAll forms of addictive behaviors had a significant direct relationship with higher psychological distress. Excessive drug use, gambling and Internet use were associated with a weaker identification with a peer group, which predicted higher psychological distress. Contrary to the above findings, excessive drinking was linked to stronger peer group identification, mediating psychological distress downwards. ConclusionsThese findings support past research and provide a mediation model explanation onto how weaker social relations add to negative well-being consequences in different addictive behaviors, thus underlining the importance of expanding our understanding of social group outcomes among young individuals.

Distorted Beliefs about Luck and Skill and Their Relation to Gambling Problems and Gambling Behavior in Dutch Gamblers.

Gamblers’ cognitive distortions are thought to be an important mechanism involved in the development and maintenance of problem gambling. The Gambling Cognitions Inventory (GCI) evaluates two categories of distortions: beliefs that one is lucky (i.e., “Luck/Chance”) and beliefs that one has special gambling-related skills (i.e., “Skill/Attitude”). Prior psychometric evaluations of the GCI demonstrated the utility of both subscales as measures of distortions and their concurrent relations to gambling problems among Canadian gamblers. However, these associations have not yet been studied in gamblers from other cultures nor have relationships between the GCI and indices of gambling behavior been investigated. In addition, the predictive validity of the GCI scales have not been evaluated in studies to date. The present study investigated the validity of the GCI as a measure of cognitive distortions in a sample of 49 Dutch gamblers by examining its concurrent and prospective relationships to both gambling problems (as measured through a standardized nine-item questionnaire assessing gambling-related problems) and behaviors (as measured through two variables: days spent gambling and time spent gambling in minutes) at baseline and over 1-month and 6-month intervals. The GCI subscales were internally consistent at all timepoints, and moderately to strongly inter-correlated at all timepoints. Each subscale correlated with an independent dimension of gambling both concurrently and prospectively: Luck/Chance was related to greater gambling problems and Skill/Attitude was related to greater gambling behavior. Thus, the two GCI subscales, while inter-correlated, appear to be related to different gambling outcomes, at least among Dutch gamblers. Moreover, the first evidence of the predictive validity of the GCI scales was demonstrated over a 1-month and 6-month interval. It is recommended that both types of cognitive distortions be considered in research and clinical practice to fully understand and address individual risk for excessive and problematic gambling.

An exploratory study of illegal gamblers in Hong Kong.

This study investigates the nature and behaviour of illegal gamblers in Hong Kong. A face-to-face street survey of 512 gamblers was conducted in Hong Kong between September and December 2015 with supplementary convenience sampling allowing for analysis of a total sample of 103 illegal gamblers. 56% of illegal gamblers recorded results consistent with this study’s definition of ‘excessive gambling’ [i.e. moderate risk and problem gamblers under the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)]. 81% of surveyed illegal gamblers were male, 77% were aged between 30 and 49 and 67% were in blue collar occupations. Illegal gamblers bet more frequently on both legal and illegal games than their legal counterparts and spent more when they did bet. While this research did not indicate the direction of causality between illegal and excessive gambling, international work (de Bruin et al. in verslingerd aan meer dan een spel: Een onderzoek naar de aard en omvang van kansspelproblematiek in Nederland, WODC/CVO, Utrecht, http://www.lexandgaming.eu/nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Verslingerd-aan-meer-dan-een-spel.pdf, 2005; Binde in What are the most harmful forms of gambling? Analysing problem gambling prevalence surveys, http://www.utbildning.gu.se/digitalAssets/1327/1327132_cefos-wp12.pdf, 2011) suggests that excessive gamblers are drawn to illegal gambling. Reform could allow excessive gambling by illegal gamblers to be better addressed and initial work suggests some financial benefits to Hong Kong.

Extreme Losers: On Excess and Profitless Expenditure in Male Gambler Practices

The essay looks at male gambling by investigating it as a form of resistance to the utilitarian values which lie at the base of the market logic. Here the excess is viewed as a central notion in opposition to that of utility. Far from minimising the negative impact of excessive gambling on society and individuals, this contribution attempts to go beyond an analysis based on the categories of pathology and expenditure only. Through excess, the pathological gambler unveils the symbolic and arbitrary ideology of capitalism which sees economic success as a sign of election or a choice whereby money is used not as an investment or to access to goods and services, but “wasted”.To address these issues, two complementary ethnographic methods are used: (1) a three-month ethnographic observation in 23 gambling locations in Milan’s metropolitan area; (2) 10 in-depth interviews with extreme male gamblers.The article attempts to answer the following research question: How does excess take place in male gambling practices? Risk factors for extreme gambling are analysed, with a particular focus on the relationship between gambling and masculinity. In the effort to go beyond an analysis of gambling based on the categories of pathology and expenditure only, gambling is conncetd to the notion of excess. Gambling locations as facilitators of excess are studied, and the life stories of pathological gamblers discussed. The paradoxical ambivalence of gambling practices, on the one side a form of domination of the subordinate classe, on the other an opportunity to resist through an anti-utilitarian act, are highlighted.

Depression symptoms and reasons for gambling sequentially mediate the associations between insecure attachment styles and problem gambling

One of the central pathways to problem gambling (PG) is gambling to cope with negative moods, which is a cardinal feature of depression. Insecure attachment styles are also etiologically related to depression; and, therefore, by extension, those who are insecurely attached may engage in excessive gambling behaviors to cope with depression. In this study, we aimed to evaluate this and to this end predicted that depression severity and coping motives for gambling would conjointly mediate the relations between insecure attachment styles and PG. Data came from a larger investigation of PG within mood disorders. Participants exhibited a lifetime depressive or bipolar disorder and endorsed a mood episode within the past ten years. Participants (N=275) completed self-report measures during a two-day assessment. Path analysis supported two main indirect effects. First, anxious attachment predicted elevated depression, which in turn predicted increased coping motives for gambling, which subsequently predicted greater PG severity. Second, this double mediational pathway was also observed for avoidant attachment. Results suggest that insecure attachment relates to PG via depressive symptoms and coping-related gambling motives. Mood symptoms and associated gambling motives are malleable and are promising targets of gambling interventions for insecurely attached individuals.

Stratificazione sociale e gioco d'azzardo. Una rassegna ragionata

The recent regulation of legal gaming in Italy and the growing opportunities to gamble have determined widespread awareness about problem gambling severity. Thus, the issue is on the top of the national political agenda since gambling harmful effects, far from affecting only individual, entail negative consequences for society. Therefore, evidence emerging in the literature invite to develop studies testing the hypothesis that excessive gambling behavior is more common among the population groups with low socioeconomic status, updating theoretical approaches of social stratification of gambling. It could guide prospective studies that may generate reliable estimates of the incidence of problems, determine temporal sequence and changes in gambling and problem gambling, and identify risk and protective factors. Such estimates are likely to have evidence based operational impacts, since theoretically driven and scientifically correct analysis may help policymakers in enhancing selective measures of prevention and adjusting the existing help services for gamblers.

The Role of Memory Associations in Excessive and Problem Gambling

Outcome expectancies (OEs), or beliefs about the consequences of engaging in a particular behaviour, are important predictors of addictive behaviours. In Study 1 of the present work, we assessed whether memory associations between gambling and positive outcomes are related to excessive and problem gambling. The Gambling Behaviour Outcome Association Task (G-BOAT) was administered to a sample of 96 community-recruited gamblers. On the G-BOAT, participants responded to a list of positive outcome phrases with the first two behaviours that came to mind. Those with more problematic gambling (as measured on the Problem Gambling Severity Index) and greater gambling involvement (as measured by time and money spent gambling on the Gambling Timeline Followback) responded to positive outcome phrases on the G-BOAT with more gambling-related responses. In Study 2, we administered G-BOAT to a community-recruited sample of 61 gamblers, who also completed a computerized reaction time measure of implicit gambling OEs, an explicit self-report measure of gambling OEs, and a measure of gambling frequency. Consistent with Strack and Deutch’s (2004) reflective-impulsive model, memory associations on the G-BOAT and positive OE scores on the explicit Gambling Expectancy Questionnaire each predicted unique variance in frequency of gambling behaviour. These studies are among the first to demonstrate the important role of memory associations in excessive and problem gambling.Les résultats escomptés (RE), c’est-à-dire la croyance dans les conséquences d’un comportement donné, constituent une importante variable explicative des comportements liés à la dépendance. L’étude 1 a évalué si des associations mémorielles entre le jeu et des résultats positifs sont reliées aux problèmes de jeu compulsif. La tâche d’association de résultats découlant de comportements liés au jeu (Gambling Behaviour Outcome Association Task [G-BOAT]) a été administrée à un échantillon de 96 joueurs recrutés au sein de la collectivité. Dans le cadre de la G-BOAT, une liste de locutions exprimant un résultat positif était présentée aux participants et ceux-ci devaient répondre en indiquant pour chacune des locutions les deux premiers comportements qui leur venaient à l’esprit. Ceux qui présentaient un problème de jeu plus grave (selon l’indice de jeu problématique) et qui s’adonnaient davantage au jeu (selon le suivi du temps passé à jouer et de l’argent dépensé effectué à l’aide de l’outil Gambling Timeline Followback) ont donné des réponses liées au jeu plus fréquemment que les autres. Dans le cadre de l’étude 2, la G-BOAT a été administrée à un échantillon de 61 joueurs recrutés au sein de la collectivité. Ceux-ci ont en outre fait l’objet d’une mesure informatisée du temps de réponse (TR) pour les RE liés au jeu implicites, d’une autoévaluation des RE liés au jeu explicites et d’une mesure de la fréquence des comportements liés au jeu. Conformément au modèle de réflexion et impulsion de Strack et Deutch (2004), les associations mémorielles obtenues dans le cadre de la G-BOAT et les résultats relatifs aux RE positifs obtenus dans le cadre du questionnaire sur les attentes quant au jeu ont dans les deux cas permis de prévoir une variance unique concernant la fréquence des comportements liés au jeu. Ces études fournissent ainsi un premier ensemble de données probantes relativement à l’importance des associations mémorielles dans l’apparition des problèmes de jeu compulsif.

The Role of Memory Associations in Excessive and Problem Gambling

Outcome expectancies (OEs), or beliefs about the consequences of engaging in a particular behaviour, are important predictors of addictive behaviours. In Study 1 of the present work, we assessed whether memory associations between gambling and positive outcomes are related to excessive and problem gambling. The Gambling Behaviour Outcome Association Task (G-BOAT) was administered to a sample of 96 community-recruited gamblers. On the G-BOAT, participants responded to a list of positive outcome phrases with the first two behaviours that came to mind. Those with more problematic gambling (as measured on the Problem Gambling Severity Index) and greater gambling involvement (as measured by time and money spent gambling on the Gambling Timeline Followback) responded to positive outcome phrases on the G-BOAT with more gambling-related responses. In Study 2, we administered G-BOAT to a community-recruited sample of 61 gamblers, who also completed a computerized reaction time measure of implicit gambling OEs, an explicit self-report measure of gambling OEs, and a measure of gambling frequency. Consistent with Strack and Deutch’s (2004) reflective-impulsive model, memory associations on the G-BOAT and positive OE scores on the explicit Gambling Expectancy Questionnaire each predicted unique variance in frequency of gambling behaviour. These studies are among the first to demonstrate the important role of memory associations in excessive and problem gambling.Les résultats escomptés (RE), c’est-à-dire la croyance dans les conséquences d’un comportement donné, constituent une importante variable explicative des comportements liés à la dépendance. L’étude 1 a évalué si des associations mémorielles entre le jeu et des résultats positifs sont reliées aux problèmes de jeu compulsif. La tâche d’association de résultats découlant de comportements liés au jeu (Gambling Behaviour Outcome Association Task [G-BOAT]) a été administrée à un échantillon de 96 joueurs recrutés au sein de la collectivité. Dans le cadre de la G-BOAT, une liste de locutions exprimant un résultat positif était présentée aux participants et ceux-ci devaient répondre en indiquant pour chacune des locutions les deux premiers comportements qui leur venaient à l’esprit. Ceux qui présentaient un problème de jeu plus grave (selon l’indice de jeu problématique) et qui s’adonnaient davantage au jeu (selon le suivi du temps passé à jouer et de l’argent dépensé effectué à l’aide de l’outil Gambling Timeline Followback) ont donné des réponses liées au jeu plus fréquemment que les autres. Dans le cadre de l’étude 2, la G-BOAT a été administrée à un échantillon de 61 joueurs recrutés au sein de la collectivité. Ceux-ci ont en outre fait l’objet d’une mesure informatisée du temps de réponse (TR) pour les RE liés au jeu implicites, d’une autoévaluation des RE liés au jeu explicites et d’une mesure de la fréquence des comportements liés au jeu. Conformément au modèle de réflexion et impulsion de Strack et Deutch (2004), les associations mémorielles obtenues dans le cadre de la G-BOAT et les résultats relatifs aux RE positifs obtenus dans le cadre du questionnaire sur les attentes quant au jeu ont dans les deux cas permis de prévoir une variance unique concernant la fréquence des comportements liés au jeu. Ces études fournissent ainsi un premier ensemble de données probantes relativement à l’importance des associations mémorielles dans l’apparition des problèmes de jeu compulsif.

Mapping the proportional distribution of gambling-related harms in a clinical and community sample

Excessive gambling results in a range of diverse harms experienced by individuals and their family members. However, little consideration has been given to specifically assessing such harms. Despite recent attempts to comprehensively ‘list’ and describe the ‘wide net’ of specific harms, what remains particularly unclear is the best way to measure the presence of harm and quantify its relationship to gambling. This article proposes a two-step method for quantifying gambling-related harm. From the literature, 104 questions assessing 48 items of harm were categorized into seven domains. Items were administered to 391 clinical and 151 community gamblers. Results suggest that while high-impact harms such as suicide and divorce are commonly associated with problem gambling, the reported frequency is low. Most gamblers sustain low-impact harms such as reduced savings and worry. This study presents the evaluation of specific gambling-related harms distributed in a clinical and community sample taking into account severity and its relationship to gambling behaviours. It is concluded that gambling-related harms negatively impact on quality of life with a minority suffering more severe harms. It is argued that the proposed two-step methodology provides a basis for developing a psychometrically valid measure of gambling-related harm.

Responsible Gambling Strategies for Internet Gambling: An Empirical Investigation into the Italian Gambling Market

The aim of this study is to analyse, in the Italian sports betting sector, the impact of Internet gambling on the level of consumption of gambling products and the responsible gambling strategies adopted by the on line gambling operators. From the methodological viewpoint the research work has been organised into two phases. In the first phase, an empirical investigation has been carried out on a sample of Italian consumers directed towards measuring the impact that the use of the Internet has on the volume of bets made on sports events. In the second phase, an analytical work has been performed on the on line gambling websites of the main operators of the Italian sports betting market, directed towards examining the measures adopted for promoting responsible gambling. The results of the empirical research indicate, on the one hand, that in the Italian market, as has happened in other national gambling markets, the legalization of on line sports betting may determine an increase in the level of consumption of gambling products and, thus, in the potential risks of excessive gambling; and, on the other hand, that the normative approach adopted in the Italian gambling market, based on a ‘concession model’ which provides for a strong public control of the gambling operators, has favoured a widespread adoption by the on line betting companies of an articulated series of measures aimed towards harm minimisation in Internet gambling. Thus, the findings of this study contribute towards the economic-managerial literature on the theme of firms’ social responsibility by providing important insights for gambling firms and public policy makers regarding the responsible gambling strategies for Internet gambling adoptable in the markets, such as the Italian one, in which on line gambling is fully regulated.

Excessive gambling and gaming: addictive disorders?

This commentary responds to Aarseth et al.'s (in press) criticisms that ICD-11 Gaming Disorder proposal would result in panics around harm of video and the treatment of abundant false-positive cases. The ICD-11 Gaming Disorder avoids potential overpathologizing with its explicit reference to functional impairment caused by gaming and therefore improves upon a number of flawed previous approaches to identifying cases with suspected gaming-related harms. We contend that moral panics are more likely to occur and be exacerbated by misinformation and lack of understanding, rather than proceed from having a clear diagnostic system.

Study protocol for a transversal study to develop a screening model for excessive gambling behaviours on a representative sample of users of French authorised gambling websites

IntroductionSince the legalisation of online gambling in France in 2010, gambling operators must implement responsible gambling measures to prevent excessive gambling practices. However, actually there is no screening procedure for...

Post-traumatic stress symptoms in pathological gambling: Potential evidence of anti-reward processes.

BackgroundExcessive gambling is considered to be a part of the addiction spectrum. Stress-like emotional states are a key feature both of pathological gambling (PG) and of substance addiction. In substance addiction, stress symptomatology has been attributed in part to “anti-reward” allostatic neuroadaptations, while a potential involvement of anti-reward processes in the course of PG has not yet been investigated.MethodsTo that end, individuals with PG (n = 22) and mentally healthy subjects (n = 13) were assessed for trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) using the Life Events Checklist and the Civilian Mississippi Scale, respectively.ResultsIn comparison with healthy subjects, individuals with PG had significantly greater PTSS scores including greater physiological arousal sub-scores. The number of traumatic events and their recency were not significantly different between the groups. In the PG group, greater gambling severity was associated with more PTSS, but neither with traumatic events exposure nor with their recency.ConclusionsOur data replicate prior reports on the role of traumatic stress in the course of PG and extend those findings by suggesting that the link may be derived from the anti-reward-type neuroadaptation rather than from the traumatic stress exposure per se.

Bet Anywhere, Anytime: An Analysis of Internet Sports Bettors' Responses to Gambling Promotions During Sports Broadcasts by Problem Gambling Severity.

Promotions for online sports betting during televised sports broadcasts are regularly viewed by millions of Australians, raising concerns about their impacts on vulnerable groups including at-risk and problem gamblers. This study examined whether responses to these promotions varied with problem gambling severity amongst 455 Australian Internet sports bettors participating in an online survey. Results indicated that young male Internet sports bettors are especially vulnerable to gambling problems, particularly if they hold positive attitudes to gambling sponsors who embed promotions into sports broadcasts and to the promotional techniques they use and this heightens the risk that alluring messages contribute to excessive gambling. As problem gambling severity increased, so too did recognition that these promotions have impacted negatively on their sports betting behaviour. Because a plethora of sports betting brands and promotions are now heavily integrated into sports coverage, social marketing efforts are needed to offset their persuasive appeal and counter the positive attitudes towards them that appear linked to excessive gambling amongst Internet sports bettors.

Relationships Between Perceived Family Gambling and Peer Gambling and Adolescent Problem Gambling and Binge-Drinking.

The study systematically examined the relative relationships between perceived family and peer gambling and adolescent at-risk/problem gambling and binge-drinking. It also determined the likelihood of at-risk/problem gambling and binge-drinking as a function of the number of different social groups with perceived gambling. A multi-site high-school survey assessed gambling, alcohol use, presence of perceived excessive peer gambling (peer excess-PE), and family gambling prompting concern (family concern-FC) in 2750 high-school students. Adolescents were separately stratified into: (1) low-risk, at-risk, and problem/pathological gambling groups; and, (2) non-binge-drinking, low-frequency-binge-drinking, and high-frequency-binge-drinking groups. Multinomial logistic regression showed that relative to each other, FC and PE were associated with greater likelihoods of at-risk and problem/pathological gambling. However, only FC was associated with binge-drinking. Logistic regression revealed that adolescents who endorsed either FC or PE alone, compared to no endorsement, were more likely to have at-risk and problem/pathological gambling, relative to low-risk gambling. Adolescents who endorsed both FC and PE, compared to PE alone, were more likely to have problem/pathological gambling relative to low-risk and at-risk gambling. Relative to non-binge-drinking adolescents, those who endorsed both FC and PE were more likely to have low- and high-frequency-binge-drinking compared to FC alone or PE alone, respectively. Family and peer gambling individually contribute to adolescent at-risk/problem gambling and binge-drinking. Strategies that target adolescents as well as their closely affiliated family and peer members may be an important step towards prevention of harm-associated levels of gambling and alcohol use in youths.

A psychometric validation study of the Impulsive-Compulsive Behaviours Checklist: A transdiagnostic tool for addictive and compulsive behaviours

The occurrence of repetitive behaviours that are often harmful has been attributed to traits traditionally described as “impulsive” or “compulsive” e.g. substance dependence, excessive gambling, and hoarding. These behaviours are common and often co-occur in both the general population and psychiatric populations. The lack of measures to concurrently index a range of such behaviours led to the development of the Impulsive-Compulsive Behaviours (ICB) Checklist. This study aims to validate the ICB Checklist in a general community sample. Factor analyses revealed a two-factor structure, demonstrating good model fit in two independent samples. These were labelled Impulsive-Compulsions and Compulsive-Impulsions, comprising of classically compulsive and impulsive behaviours respectively. Reliability and construct validity were further confirmed using correlations with existing measures of impulsivity and compulsivity. Results suggest that the ICB Checklist is a valid and practical assessment that can be used to monitor behavioural clusters characterised by deficits in inhibition.

Down-regulation of serotonin and dopamine transporter genes in individual rats expressing a gambling-prone profile: A possible role for epigenetic mechanisms

Gambling Disorder (GD) is characterized by excessive gambling despite adverse consequences on individual functioning. In spite of some positive findings, it is difficult to draw any conclusion on the genetics of GD. Indeed, beyond DNA sequence variation, other regulatory mechanisms (like those that engage epigenetics) may explain gene alterations in this addictive disease. Wistar male rats underwent an operant task for the evaluation of individual propensity to gamble. Few rats, after having learnt to prefer nose-poking for a large over a small food reward, were sacrificed to obtain a baseline profile of gene expression at both central and peripheral levels. In the remaining rats, probability of occurrence of large-reward delivery decreased progressively to very low levels. Thus, rats were faced with temptation to “gamble”, i.e. to nose-poke for a binge reward, whose delivery was omitted the majority of times. After 3weeks of testing, rats showing a clear-cut profile of either gambling proneness or aversion were selected and sacrificed after the last session. A selective down-regulation of i) serotonin transporter in prefrontal cortex, ii) tyrosine hydroxylase in ventral striatum, iii) dopamine transporter in lymphocytes was evidenced in “gambler” vs “non-gambler” rats. The exposure to such operant task (compared to home-cage alone) modulated ventrostriatal but not prefrontal genes. A consistent increase of DNA methylation, in one specific CpG site at serotonin transporter gene, was evident in prefrontal cortex of “gambler” rats. Elucidation of epigenetic changes occurring during GD progression may pave the way to the development of new therapeutic strategies through specific modulation of epigenetic factors.